I agree - tipping is a cultural thing. Here in Australia
tipping is not as universal as in many other countries and
generous tipping is unusual - many people (including me)
feel it is an abomination. (If tips are given it is
generally on the inclusive bill for food and wine, not
separately).

Anti-tippers figure that if we eat out in a classy eatery
and pay top dollar for the food and often exorbitant prices
for wine that those prices should cover all overheads
including wages. We don't tip for other services (wine
merchants, greengrocers, doctors, dentists, car mechanics,
cheesemongers etc.) why should restaurants be treated any
differently? In a sense the argument that we should tip
because waitstaff are poorly paid is merely an argument to
enrich greedy restaurateurs - who should pay all staff a
decent living wage.
Cheers!
Martin


"Richard Neidich" > wrote in
message
nk.net...
> Principle is ths same...that was my point.
>
> I like the way we tip here in USA and don't understand if
it's not included
> why someone would have a problem with our method.
>
> Chiefly you have to understand the customs of the
countries you visit...when
> in rome do as the _ _ _ _ _.
>
> "Vincent" > wrote in message
> m...
> > Yeah, but if I order a hamburger and a beer at a
neighborhood bar (or
> > pancakes and eggs at a breakfast joint), two bucks is
about all she's
> worth
> > (not even that if she's sucking on a cigarette at the
end of the counter
> > discussing her personal problems with coworkers and
sometimes even other
> > customers).
> >
> > Whereas if I order a five-course degustation meal (with
matching wines)
> > served by a tuxedoed waiter, seated by an awsome looking
hostess in a
> tight
> > black skirt, with another hot looking babe playing a
harp, a somelier who
> > makes a great recommendation, and a courteous young man
having my car
> ready
> > at the door when I walk out (not to mention the older
man in the bathroom
> > that's worked there longer than I've been alive asking
me "How is you
> > evening, sir," while turning on the faucet, pumping my
hand-soap, and
> > handing me a towel), those people are worth at least $50
for a bill of,
> > let's say, $250.
> >
> > It's not about percentages or about subsidizing unfair
wages, it's about
> > common sense -- paying something extra on your own to
show your
> appreciation
> > for a job well done.
> >
> > And while most restaurants fall between the two extremes
I've just
> painted,
> > the principle is the same.
> >
> > \/
> >
> >
> > "Richard Neidich" > wrote
in message
> >
link.net...
> > > Ok try this on for size.
> > >
> > > Many people make a ton of money working at low end
pancake houses of
> > 15-20%
> > > tips. Why...they turn the table 2-3x an hour.
> > >
> > > Dining in a fine food establishment the server
probably gets to turn a
> > table
> > > 2x in 4 hours.
> > >
> > > Think of you tip that way. Same % but different time
at table.
> > >
> > > "Dick R." > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > The whole idea of a tip being 10-15% of the total
bill doesn't seem
> > > > quite right to me. Take two equally proficient
waiter/waitresses, one
> > > > working at an expensive restaurant, the other
working at a neighbor
> > > > bar or café. I'll go 15% at an expensive restaurant,
but I might pay
> 30%
> >
> > > > at a bar or café. People who provide good service
shouldn't be
> penalized
> > > > because of the price of food or wine in the
establishment where they
> > work.
> > > >
> > > > Just my opinion,
> > > > Dick
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>